Craigavon man who spat blood at paramedics and PSNI officers behaved 'disgustingly', judge said

Jamie Lee Harvey, 24, whose address was given as Drumbeg in Craigavon, appeared before Craigavon Magistrates Court charged with criminal damage, disorderly behaviour, and assault on police.

The court heard that on Saturday, August 9 at 9.10pm, police received a report from the Ambulance Service that a male was self-harming using a cheese grater in the middle of the street.

When the police arrived, the defendant began shouting aggressively and was said to be biting his arms.

Police tried to control the defendant and he spat blood at the officers.

He was brought to hospital, where paramedics alleged he had spat blood and attempted to climb on top of the ambulance.

During interview the defendant told police he didn’t remember the incident.

A defence lawyer said: “This is a disturbing case. It is quite clear he was in some considerable degree of distress and police were called for his own safety. He had considerable injuries on his arms.

"There is no excuse for his behaviour with the police.

"He has referred himself to community addictions and those appointments are ongoing.

"He is now in full time employment in Belfast in construction and that has had a massive impact on this man’s life.

"He tells me he is completely substance free. This man has got his act together.

"He had a considerable crisis in his mental health and he turned his violence on himself.

"This has been a serious wake-up call for him. He could have bled out in the street on that day.

"A hard day’s work has made a real difference in this man’s life.”

District Judge Michael Ranaghan imposed a combination order, with the defendant told to serve 18 months on probation, as well as 90 hours of community service.

Mr Ranaghan warned the defendant that if he breaches the order he will be brought back before the court and will serve nine months in prison.

The district judge added: “This type of behaviour is disgusting.”